/ 6 January 2006

Motorola to add Google icon to cellphones

Motorola will soon begin selling web-enabled cellphones that feature easy access to Google’s search engine by clicking on an icon, the world’s second-largest maker of cellphones said.

The company said in a statement late on Thursday it will integrate a Google icon on to certain internet-optimised handsets that will be distributed starting in the first quarter of this year.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Motorola is also working with Yahoo to bring Yahoo Go Mobile, a mobile version of Yahoo’s search and content, to those phones, Marco Boerries, senior vice-president of Yahoo’s ”Connected Life” division, said on Thursday.

”Many of our customers have been asking for mobile devices integrated with their consumers’ favorite online search services,” said Scott Durchslag, vice-president and general manager of Global xProducts for Motorola’s mobile device business. ”Our relationship with Google provides an opportunity for us to offer a high-quality mobile search experience — one familiar to and loved by millions of users across the globe.”

In a separate statement, Motorola said it also reached a 10-year global product, licensing and marketing agreement with Eastman Kodak to improve camera phones. The companies will co-develop devices with Kodak sensors that will integrate with Kodak printers, kiosks and other services.

Motorola said Kodak will receive royalty revenue from the agreement, but financial and other details were not disclosed. — Sapa-AP